tmoss Posted November 25, 2016 Report Share Posted November 25, 2016 So a club friend who has a 2010 GT500 Coupe with the FRPP 2.9l upgrade experienced engine failure this last Halloween giving a ride to a 10yo boy. The car is a two owner car, him being the second and a woman being the first. Car has 8,8xx miles on it, has always had 93+ octane gas used, oil was changed with Ford 5w-50 oil and has never been raced in any form. This boy was drooling over the car and asked for a ride, so he took him for one and after getting on the main road did a rolling punch from second gear - at about 4k rpm he says he heard a pop and miss so he clutched the car, saw some vapor and shut the ignition off, costing into a parking lot. I went with him to the dealer where it got towed. We talked to the service writer who took us to the SVT Tech in the shop. Due to a relatively small amount of water/oil on the ground the next day, he thought he popped a head gasket but the SVT tech said he'd never seen one loose a gasket or engine failure - he thought that the oil cooler on the driver side probably failed "or something stupid like that". So the next day the Tech gets the car on the rack and finds two small holes on both sides of the block??? The writer sent the below pic taken by the SVT Tech. The dealer seems not willing to pursue contacting SVT due to "age", not miles. They told him nothing can be rebuilt and that they suggest total engine replacement with a new engine for $22,000. They also said if the blower is damaged, it can't be rebuilt and will be another $7,000 or so. I think they just want to maximize the profit and get it done as quick as possible in the shop. He's like so sick and bummed he's not doing much but having it towed back to his house. My question is does anyone have or know of a similar experience? Anybody have a contact we could pursue at SVT? The SVT Tech said he has never seen one of these engines blow while working for Ford. He was very surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmoss Posted November 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2016 Forgot to add, the SVT Tech verified the correct tune was in the computer........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted November 25, 2016 Report Share Posted November 25, 2016 Car is out of warranty. The owner could try to appeal to the district service manager. They'd want a tear down on the engine. You should be able to get a short block from parts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT500-2007 Posted November 25, 2016 Report Share Posted November 25, 2016 He could also just pick up a used engine and install that. There are typically 3 or 4 low mileage ones on eBay at reasonable prices. GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKurgan Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 $22K for an engine ? Just stay away from stealerships. Just say NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheppd01 Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 Where are you located? My engine builder is in PA. You can get a new (1,000 hp capable) block, cams, underdrive pully, clutch and more installed for less than 22k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL SHELBY Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 It's possible that this is a fluke of an issue on a block with a bad casting that slipped through QC. Other than that, the lack of use or even an unshared issue left by the prior owner. The only way to true understand what went wrong to autopsy the engine. Years ago I had a 3.0l Ranger with less than 15k-20k miles suddenly and unexplainabley break a valve spring while on my morning commute to the office. It was a fluke. A random and extremely unlikely failure. However, it concerned me enough that I traded that Ranger for and F150 less than a year after it was repaired as I was concerned that lighting would strike again because it was such a fluke issue. While I know this isn't true in past 15-20 years I was concerned about the old adage that you never purchase a car built on a Friday, and I wonder if that Ranger was built on a Friday. Depending on your buddy's situation, going to a specialist to rebuild is an ideal option, but so is selling the car as is and looking for another GT500. Understandably not everyone has the desire to go through an engine rebuild/replacement when all they are after is a car they can cruise and enjoy. Wish him luck on any choice he makes, there isn't a wrong option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKSHELBY Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 Probably a Friday built engine, Builder wants to get home early , or a Monday engine , Builder had a hangover.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imatk Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I've seen stuff like this happen on stock engines, so with a Whipple sitting at the top of the engine it's not THAT uncommon. Just depends on how much boost he was running and what tune he had. I'm guessing an FRPP tune but I don't know. If the heads aren't damaged your friend can just get a built shortblock from FRPP for about $3,500 He'd have to pay to pull the motor and swap the heads, accessories etc. or if he's mechanically inclined he could pull the engine himself. I would expect around 3k to pull it and swap it. So $6500 roughly for a new built FRPP short block, but it all depends on what your buddy wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmoss Posted January 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Thanks guys, Ford said since he was not the original owner (2nd) that and the fact it's the years and not the miles (8,800), he gets the middle finger salute. He's owned the car for ~18 months so it's unlikely the previous owner hurt it. He's never raced it on the strip or street but have done spirited driving - nothing that would cause rods to give way. MMR has a 1,000 HP short block for $3,500 so we are going to pull heads and see if they are damaged. Sucks ... Ford SVU mechanic verified the tune was correct for this blower kit at 16 psi. Edited January 24, 2017 by tmoss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelbyGT5HUN Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) Could have been over-revved by the previous owner. I could picture bouncing off the rev limiter during a burnout, or over-revving while accelerating in lower gears. Usually when a rod goes, it's been "stretched" a hair, due to the over-revving, and won't fail immediately. Now with the rod being out of round, the accumulated miles after the over rev, add up, and one day out of the blue, it can let go. Rods are strong, and to break one on just power alone, is tough to do. Over rev it, and all bets are off! Edited February 8, 2017 by ShelbyGT5HUN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmoss Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) He ordered the MMR 1000HP 5.4 short block with billet pump, Manley H beam rods, ARP head studs, Extreme duty Fel Pro gaskets. About to go in. I've read these engine REALLY don't like bouncing off the limiter due to rod bolts and powdered metal gears in the oil pump. Edited February 22, 2017 by tmoss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb64 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 That is a good short block with some serious goodies inside, for a reasonable price. They also rate that as 1000RWHP capable too, which offers a lot of overhead. If you have to fix something, it is always nice to fix it better than it was. If he needs to get a new blower, he can pickup a VMP GEN2 with goodies for less than $4K. I am running one now and it makes some serious torque and horspower, my 1/4 mile mph is now beyond 127 with ease in full street trim/weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheppd01 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 He ordered the MMR 1000HP 5.4 short block with billet pump, Manley H beam rods, ARP head studs, Extreme duty Fel Pro gaskets. About to go in. I've read these engine REALLY don't like bouncing off the limiter due to rod bolts and powdered metal gears in the oil pump. ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmoss Posted May 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 As a final post - the #5 rod let go. Luckily the piston wedged into the bottom of the bore and the heads/blower were just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelbyGT5HUN Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 Probably over-revved by previous owner, and the rod stretched. Not being round, it failed after many miles. Sucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmoss Posted September 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Update, after getting the MMR short block installed and getting package tune to self learn and mild detonation at load to stop, The computer crapped out. I got a sneaky suspicion a computer glitch caused a misfire near BDC and took out #5 piston/rod. Ford put a new one in for free due to emissions but it took 2 months to get a new computer made up = Ford had NONE in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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